I'll try to explain my question better. I have a 1989 3.0L LWB Montero and I love it. I like the way it handles both off road and on paved roads, but I just have one nagging problem with it. How fast can I push "The Bus" and not hurt it. I believe my engine and transmission are in pretty good shape. Just 10000 miles I changed the timing belt, and water pump(because it was cheap and the engine was halfways dismantled), and flushed my transmission oil. The engine does not burn any oil.

I ask this question because I have traveled twice to Mexico (from El Paso, TX to as far down as Zacatecas, Mexico) and within the U.S. But because I don't know the limits of the Montero and I'm afraid to push it past 65 MPH. I'm just afraid that I'll hurt the engine and that it will leave me stranded in the middle of the desert (literally). That and I basically want to go faster, and I will continue to use the Montero for national and international road trips.

So my question is how fast (have you taken / can) the GenI 3.0L LWB travel at sustained highway speeds for trips greater than 200 miles? ( I understand that I have to take into account other factors such as aerodynamics of the car, road conditions, weather etc. etc. etc.)

If it is in such good shape as you said don't be afraid to push it, of course respect your local speed limit but I don't think that it will fall apart on you <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> They are built to run as or more comfortably than most cars, just keep in mind that after all it is an SUV not a regular car.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I ran my 88 2.6 from Monterey California to Phoniex Arizona and back at about 70-75 mph the whole way. Thats about 800 miles one way. I have 31 inch tires so at that speed I'm at 3400 rpm. It's not like you have a choice once you get on the 10 freeway that's the slow lane speed.

Your not going to hurt anything by going 10 mph faster other than your wallet at the pump <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Just keep everything well maintained and carry basic spare parts.

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Acceleration is right up there with the best @ 10 meters per second per second.

Braking at the end of the acceleration run is pretty intense. Pretty much a one shot deal though.

I pretty much keep mine around 55-60 to keep the fuel economy up.

Clay

Driving off a cliff does not count <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thats a good one, took me a little bit to get because I am use to 32 feet per second per second. But <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> -Garrett.

I have an 89 3.0 V6 and Ive gone past the 100 mark several times. My engine burns oil, and the got 169k on the clock. I will say yours could do that for short bursts of time, I say short bursts because most SUV tires are not made for really high speeds. Ive done 90mph and held it with no problem for as long as it was safe enough to do so. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> My advice is just take care of your rig and she will take care of you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

My normal cruise is 80-85, and some higher. 238000 miles and counting.

I too have the 3.0 but it is in a 2 door. Before I lifted and put on bigger tires I was running constant on the open road around 75. One trip I took I sustained 90 no problem. That was when the truck had 170k on it. Now it has about 210k with the only engine work being done since then is valve guide seals.

I always cruise at about 70-75 With the 3.0 LWB truck.. It definetly has much more to it with the reman'd engine, but I can squeeze 21mpg out at that speed and that's about the best I can get. My 4 cyl shorty has touched 100 on occasion (downhill) but the fastest flat out I can actually cruise at is about 85, and that gets me a rewarding 15mpg (before adding 33" tires)